Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 25, 2026

Dynamic Quantitative Sensory Testing to Characterize Central Pain Processing
09:16

Dynamic Quantitative Sensory Testing to Characterize Central Pain Processing

Published on: February 16, 2017

Where does it hurt? Stability of recordings of pain location using the McGill Pain Map

A Escalante1, M J Lichtenstein, V A Lawrence

  • 1Rheumatology Section, University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284-7873, USA.

The Journal of Rheumatology
|October 1, 1996
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The McGill Pain Map (MPM) accurately records pain location in patients. This pain assessment tool demonstrates strong validity and reliability for research on pain distribution.

Area of Science:

  • Pain research
  • Medical assessment tools
  • Clinical evaluation

Background:

  • Accurate documentation of pain location is crucial for understanding patient conditions.
  • The McGill Pain Map (MPM) is a tool designed to record pain distribution.
  • Evaluating the validity and reliability of such tools is essential for their clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the validity and reliability of pain location recordings using the McGill Pain Map (MPM).
  • To determine if the MPM is a dependable instrument for capturing pain distribution in diverse patient groups.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving rheumatology outpatients and surgical inpatients.
  • Administration of the McGill Pain Questionnaire and MPM during two interviews.
  • Analysis of pain extent (number of painful areas) and distribution for validity and test-retest reliability.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in pain distribution and extent were found between rheumatology and surgical patients.
  • The MPM showed good test-retest reliability for the number of painful areas (intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.82).
  • Reliability for individual body areas averaged 0.50 (kappa coefficient).

Conclusions:

  • Pain location recordings using the McGill Pain Map (MPM) are valid and reliable.
  • The MPM is a valuable instrument for population studies on pain distribution.
  • The tool supports accurate assessment of pain in clinical and research settings.

More Related Videos

Multi-Modal Signals for Analyzing Pain Responses to Thermal and Electrical Stimuli09:16

Multi-Modal Signals for Analyzing Pain Responses to Thermal and Electrical Stimuli

Published on: April 5, 2019

Quantifying Pain Location and Intensity with Multimodal Pain Body Diagrams09:00

Quantifying Pain Location and Intensity with Multimodal Pain Body Diagrams

Published on: July 7, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Nociception01:44

Nociception

Nociception—the ability to feel pain—is essential for an organism’s survival and overall well-being. Noxious stimuli such as piercing pain from a sharp object, heat from an open flame, or contact with corrosive chemicals are first detected by sensory receptors, called nociceptors, located on nerve endings. Nociceptors express ion channels that convert noxious stimuli into electrical signals. When these signals reach the brain via sensory neurons, they are perceived as pain. Thus, pain helps the...
Blood and Nerve Supply to the Bones01:29

Blood and Nerve Supply to the Bones

Bones are dynamic organs that require a rich supply of oxygen and nutrients. Around 5% to 10% of the cardiac output supplies blood to the bones. A typical long bone has three main sources: the nutrient artery, the metaphyseal and epiphyseal arteries, and the periosteal arteries.
Nutrient Artery
The nutrient artery is the main blood vessel that enters the diaphysis via the nutrient foramen. While most long bones have only one nutrient foramen, large bones, such as the femur, may have two. This...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...